Programs

Two Pathways through the institute:

1. Undergraduates taking selected courses can emerge with a BS in their engineering area plus a better understanding of power engineering.Or, with some additional coursework, they can enter the workforce with a BS in their engineering specialty and an Undergraduate Certificate in Power and Energy Engineering.*
2. Similarly, at the graduate level, students may take courses associated with the Institute in power and energy areas, or can, with additional coursework, complete a Graduate Certificate in Power and Energy Engineering.*
3. The Institute also serves engineers in industry, those returning for graduate study or continuing their learning with professional development courses.

Certification Programs are designed to be:

Integrated

The PEIK curricula have been carefully worked out to mesh with requirements in other engineering disciplines; typically it is electrical engineering students who specialize in power engineering, but in the Institute it will be possible for students outside electrical engineering (in mechanical, chemical, materials, biosystems, and mining) to study for certificates in power and energy at the undergraduate and graduate (Master’s and PH.D) levels.

Value-Added

These certification programs will give students the opportunity to graduate with a crossdisciplinary certificate in power and energy engineering AND a B.S. or M.S. in Electrical, Chemical, Materials, Mining, Mechanical or other engineering major without spending any more time (or tuition money) than for the degree alone.

Flexible and Adaptive

Certificates have been chosen as the more flexible way to organize and indicate focus and expertise in a crossdisciplinary area likely to continue evolving rapidly over the next decade. The curriculum is built around core courses in generation, in transmission and distribution and in public policy and energy economics. Students then take energy electives in focus areas of their choosing.

Opportunity for International Study

The University of Kentucky has recently begun a partnership with the Public University of Navarre in Pamplona, Spain. This partnership includes establishing 5‐week summer programs where students from UK (and other U. S. universities) will receive four hours of credit through programs taught in Navarre.

PEIK offers a summer program in renewable energy in collaboration with P.U.N. Navarre is an ideal place for such a program of study since sixty five percent of electricity in the region is obtained from alternative energy sources, including 50% from wind, 13% from biomass, and 2% from solar. Most of the remaining energy is nuclear, imported from France. PEIK students will have an opportunity to see the future by studying a region that has successfully moved towards renewable energy.

Coursework will focus on particular aspects of the EU power market, as well as the renewable energy technologies. Students will also gain international perspective, not only from studying in Navarre, but also by living with a Spanish family. The Institute provides partial scholarships for five students per year to participate in this program.